Here's the deal: I'm a college student who rarely wears suits. I have one suit that is cheap and was bought for me by my parents. It's a wool black suit. I understand how SF feels about black suits, and really hope this isn't the black suit thread #2.

However, as a college student, I don't really have the money to buy a nice or even another cheap suit. I do think the black suit/white dress shirt looks very severe, and as such, may not be appropriate for an interview. I plan on wearing the suit to interview for jobs/internships as well as graduate schools - that's really about it.

I've heard suggestions that a light blue or even a dark blue dress shirt will make the suit look less severe and more amiable to wear to an interview. So, if you had to wear a black suit to an interview... what shirt (and tie if you like) color would you wear? Thanks.

I don't agree with the anti-black suit camp, and I don't think a white shirt looks too severe with a black suit. I think the contrast between the black and the white looks sharp. IMHO you risk looking a little overdressed, but that is not much of a 'risk' at a job interview because you want to look better dressed than the rest. If you're set on a different color, try a very light shade of your eye color--if they're brown try a tannish off-white. Personally I'd avoid pink for the interview--too fashion forward, especially combined with the already risky black suit. The biggest danger in wearing the black suit now is that you might feel uncomfortable and less confident wearing it after listening to all the controversy about it on SF! See what all you black suit haters have done??!!

I don't agree with the anti-black suit camp, and I don't think a white shirt looks too severe with a black suit. I think the contrast between the black and the white looks sharp. IMHO you risk looking a little overdressed, but that is not much of a 'risk' at a job interview because you want to look better dressed than the rest.

If you're set on a different color, try a very light shade of your eye color--if they're brown try a tannish off-white. Personally I'd avoid pink for the interview--too fashion forward, especially combined with the already risky black suit.

The biggest danger in wearing the black suit now is that you might feel uncomfortable and less confident wearing it after listening to all the controversy about it on SF!

See what all you black suit haters have done??!!

As a lover of the black suit I tell you that what looks severe to me is the combo black suit/white shirt/black-4-inhand-tie... I think a black suit and white shirt can be lightened with a colorful tie. think a pink, light blue, lavander purple, yellow etc...

when I was a young aprentice my then big manager boss told me once...

Dress conservative and severe, dark grays and blues, even black with white shirts... but the tie is the "crazy lady on the house..." it is what brings joy and color to the whole ensemble...

Litght blue end on end shirt.
no pink, no lavender, no odd shades.
This is an interview. You want your perspective employer to look at what you are wearing . Note that you are dressed appropriately, and not be distracted by your clothing. Stick to a neat somewhat conservative tie. color in the tie is fine, but not to wild. If this is a job in a creative field, then have fun.

A white shirt will look to stark with a black suit

I have made shirts for many younger guys out looking for jobs. I always tell them to dress in an understated manner.